(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) – A federal grand jury has indicted three Corpus Christi area men for conspiring to steal explosive materials, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.

A three-count indictment, returned late Wednesday, March 9, 2011, accuses Elias Puebla, Christian Anderson and Guadalupe Buitron of stealing approximately three pounds of TNT and four pounds of Composition 4, also known as C4, on or about Dec. 8, 2010. Puebla, 20, of Robstown, Texas, was also indicted for receiving or possessing explosives while being a person under a felony indictment. Each of the charges carries a maximum punishment of 10 years imprisonment upon conviction, as well as a maximum fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release.

Buitron and Anderson, both 20, were arrested by Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) officers on Dec. 30, 2010, and charged with stealing explosive materials that were being kept at storage containers on the old Corpus Christi Police Department shooting range in Annaville. Puebla was taken into custody on Jan. 5, 2011. CCPD officers recovered TNT and C4 at the Nueces River, Labonte Park boat ramp area.

All three men are presently in custody without bond pending trial on the charges. Their arraignment will be scheduled by the court at a later date.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the CCPD. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hess.

An indictment is an accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.